| Overview : Over the past three decades, increasing temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns and climate hazards in particular droughts, floods and severe storms (hail, thunder, lightning and violent winds) have undermined social and economic development in Uganda. Climate hazards have negatively affected the livelihoods of ~150 000 people and resulted in ~74 deaths per year. Notwithstanding these challenges, the current climate information (including monitoring) and early warning systems in Uganda are not functioning as optimally as they could for effectively supporting the adaptive capacity of local communities and key sectors. Without adaptation, the negative effects of climate change will undermine years of development assistance and asset accumulation in Uganda. To respond to some of these challenges, the Government of Uganda in partnership with UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) has initiated the ”Strengthening climate information and early warning systems in Africa for climate resilient development and adaptation to climate change – Uganda” project. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment, and is expected to end by December 2017, information for making early warnings and long-term development plans. The main purpose of the project is to; establish a functional network of meteorological and hydrological monitoring stations and associated infrastructure to better understand climatic changes; develop and disseminate tailored weather and climate information (including colour-coded alerts – advisories, watches and warnings – for flood, drought, severe weather and agricultural stresses, integrated cost-benefit analyses and sector-specific risk and vulnerability maps) to decision makers in government, private sector, civil society, development partners and local communities in the Teso and Mt Elgon sub-region; and integrate weather and climate information into national policies, annual work plans and local development including the National Policy for Disaster Preparedness and Management, and district and sub-county development plans in priority districts in the Bukedi, Busoga, Elgon, Teso, Acholi, Karamoja and Lango sub-regions. |
